Caution urged over alternative medicines

They have urged pet owners to work with veterinarians to determine if such options will assist, saying the amount of medical misinformation on the internet, especially for complementary and alternative medicine, is "staggering".

"Your veterinarian may struggle to give you good advice about using complementary and alternative medicine for your pet because there is very little evidence-based research on these treatments for pets," they said in a release offering seasonal and holiday tips for animal owners.

"Despite lack of scientific evidence, consumers buy herbs and supplements for their pets - often online without the benefit of a veterinary exam."

The United States Food and Drug Administation has different regulations for dietary supplements, including herbs, for humans and animals, and dietary supplements for animals are still regulated.

They said about 180 botanical species are currently marketed or in use by animal health professionals in the United States.

While some complementary approaches may definitely provide a solution to your pet's problem, others may cause harm, the said.

"Some articles in lay publications have even offered advice about complementary medicine that is harmful to pets. For example, some suggest that pennyroyal oil as a treatment for fleas on pets.

"Pennyroyal is highly toxic and even small amounts have caused the death of animals. Another lay publication suggested having pets ingest comfrey as a way to promote healthy bones; comfrey causes irreversible liver damage.

"Until more is known, pet owners need to work with their veterinarians to find scientific information from human medicine literature to help discern fact from fiction."